Mosin ejection issues :(

[Xscmurcielago]

Hello all, I recently bought a mosin from my buddy on the cheap as a fun new beater and to cure my recent itch for some goodies from the motherland . It's stamped 1943 on the reciever and appears to have been refinished with some weird dark redish lacquer or some other business.
While I love everything about it, I've been having problems ejecting rounds when I test it for functionality. It seems like it will only eject the rounds when I lower the rifle to my side and work the bolt, basically the rear of the bolt needs to be lifted up to angle the front towards the ejector/Interupter. When this is done she will almost knock someone out with the spent round they come out so fast, otherwise they get caught up on the other ejector and I have to pull them out.
Is this a very common problem with the post war models, and is their a known fix for it? I can tell you that the bolt is the only part on the rifle that does not match as far as the serial numbers go. And while I don't have another one to compare it to and have never owned one before, it seems like the bolt has a lot of play in it when it's not fully locked forward.
If anyone has any insight to this problem I will be extreemly gratefull thanks for looking

[Flyin Brian]

No, it's not common and yes there is a fix

The first thing I would do is remove the action from the stock, lift the ejector/interrupter spring slightly and pull the ejector out of its slot in the receiver. Then I would clean the heck out of the ejector (scrub it with a 3M scotch brite pad) and the slot it rides in, double check that the square end of the spring is straight in line with the slot and that the spring has sufficient pressure. Then I would put the ejector back in and try it. It will probably work fine after that. If not, I would swap it out with a spare and see if that takes care of it.

Here is a link to a parts breakdown, showing some images of the ejector and spring. It's about half way down the page:

http://7.62x54r.net/MosinID/MosinDisassembly.htm

Here is the photo to look for:

http://7.62x54r.net/MosinID/td33.JPG

Here is a photo of what I mean by saying that the square end of the spring should be in-line with the slot in the receiver (this one is bent down slightly):

[Xscmurcielago]

Wow awesome response, thanks so much for the effort. I did as I was instructed and found everything to be almost perfectly alligned and hardly dirty at all surprisingly. Next I was thinking the part of the ejector that runs down the slit in the bolt might have been worn down or something but after comparing to as many different pictures as I could find it actually looks like that part is as long or even slightly longer than most others. This led me to take more time examining the function of the rifle and it looks like the front of bolt is lifting enough that the extractor can't reach the lip of the round unless I purposefully pull the handle up as I pull it back, then the extractor stays where it needs to be.
Im assuming that this is caused by the non matching bolt being ever so slightly too small in diameter for the reciever, thus creating the slop. But fun fact, replacement bolts seem way too expensive for a friggan hundred dollar rifle. Is it very heard of for people to trade bolts around until they find one that will work correctly? Or is there some other solution out there?

[OniKoroshi]

Meet up with some folks with mosins and swap bolt heads for functionality. Take pics of the bolt and bolt head. It could be your extractor is worn enough to cause issues.

[The Right to Bear Arms]

But fun fact, replacement bolts seem way too expensive for a friggan hundred dollar rifle. Is it very heard of for people to trade bolts around until they find one that will work correctly? Or is there some other solution out there?

Hello Xscmurcielago,

You have limitless options. If you like this rifle and think it shoots well. Perhaps, invest in a custom bolt?...

I believe in the MN value formula but each owner bears sole responsibility to insure the rifle has everything it needs to fulfill it's mission.

[bikr4jc]

Check out the mosin parts page.
https://www.libertytreecollectors.co...tc-default.asp

[bikr4jc]

Sorry posting from phone. Did not finish post. They seem to have fair prices.

[Flyin Brian]

I would go ahead and replace the ejector and spring and it will probably take care of it. I have had one that was giving me trouble but it looked fine. I replaced it with a spare and it suddenly worked perfectly!

If your bolt is not number matching, it would probably be a good idea to get the headspace checked. You can buy a gauge from www.okiegauges.com or if you live close enough to someone on the forum that has gauges, I am sure they would let you check your rifle. I've never seen a bolt that is too narrow, not sure what you are talking about there... these bolts are normally pretty loose when compared to a Remchester hunting rifle, it is normal for a Mosin bolt to shake and rattle when it is not in battery.

[OniKoroshi]

Do what Brian said. I would also check if the ejector is oriented the correct way.

http://7.62x54r.net/MosinID/td35.JPG

[billmaykafer]

your clearance inside the stock is OK? sometimes a dremel needs to open where stuff moves towards the inside of stock channel. but i agree you need to try a differant extracter. sometimes the parts cost so much it is cheaper to buy a "parts gun" for $100,especially if you have a few Mosin Nagant M1891/30's.

[Xscmurcielago]

Thanks again for the great responces guys, I am gonna see if I can try other peoples bolt heads out on my bolt. Hopefully that cures the problem, then I'll just order one. If that doesn't fix it I will order a new ejector and spring (which are on the correct way). If that doesn't work I guess I'll just hammer a bunch of 16 penny nails into the stock and have me a new war club .

Oh and ps yes there is enough clearance for the parts to move around.
Bikerjc idk if it's something with my iPad I'm posting from but I can't access the link you posted.
Flyin Brian I did put around 20 rounds through her the day I picked her up from my buddy, and he had done the same after he got it. So is there a reason to still check the head spacing? The bolt locks up firmly but not too firmly that I can't undo it.

[OniKoroshi]

Can you post some pics of the bolt? Especially the bolt head. Pics of the overhead view of the ejector assembly when the rifle is assembled?

Maybe even post up a short video of the issue.

[Xscmurcielago]

Can you post some pics of the bolt? Especially the bolt head. Pics of the overhead view of the ejector assembly when the rifle is assembled?

Maybe even post up a short video of the issue.

Yea that shouldn't be a problem. Any idea how to post a video clip on here?

[FinnCollector]

Photobucket or YouTube

[Flyin Brian]

Flyin Brian I did put around 20 rounds through her the day I picked her up from my buddy, and he had done the same after he got it. So is there a reason to still check the head spacing? The bolt locks up firmly but not too firmly that I can't undo it.

You said in the OP that the bolt number does not match the barrel serial number. This means the bolt has been replaced at some point, and not done at an arsenal because it would have been re-stamped with a matching number. It doesn't automatically make it unsafe, it just means it probably hasn't been checked, but it could be fine. I have quite a few non-matching bolts and none of them have excessive headspace. If you go swapping bolts and bolt heads around like you were suggesting, then you are definitely taking chances since you KNOW you have a combination of parts that have not been checked and proved to be correct.

In regards to head spacing, it is either too tight or too loose. Too tight means you can't chamber a round, not dangerous because you can't shoot it

Too loose means too much space... rarely a good thing.

I have the gauges, so I check everything. It's not worth taking a chance. If anyone in the East Bay - Nor Cal has a mosin and is concerned about head space, I would gladly offer up my gauges so they can check... I am sure there are many others in your area who will do the same.